At dinner time, Jiang's mother came out, but Jiang Lan remained in her room, saying she wasn't hungry.
Mu Yi'an felt that she must have hidden some snacks or something in her room, otherwise, how could such a delicate person resist going without eating for two meals?
The atmosphere at the dinner table was a bit cold.
Mu Yi'an focused intently on feeding Shao Ming and Shao Yun, while also making sure to fill her own stomach. Although she had some thoughts, she couldn't voice them. At any time, the daughter-in-law was an outsider, while the son was the insider.
"Mother, my sister-in-law hasn't eaten anything all day. If this continues, she won't be able to take it."
Jiang's sister-in-law looked worried, and seemed more like a mother than Jiang's mother, the real mother. Her caring tone was truly touching!
Li Qiuniang looked up at Mu Yi'an. She hadn't been home during the day and didn't know what had happened. She just felt her sister-in-law's tone was a bit strange, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken.
Mu Yi'an gently shook her head, signaling her to eat and not talk.
Since her second sister-in-law had expressed it this way, Li Qiuniang, though curious, held back her words, trusting her sister-in-law.
"Eat your food. If you feel sorry for her, you can stay with her."
Jiang's mother raised her eyelids and replied expressionlessly.
Jiang's wife was humiliated and couldn't say anything, so she ate her meal feeling resentful. She hadn't eaten much at noon, and if she didn't eat dinner, she would starve.
The meal was unusually quiet; apart from the children, only Mu Yi'an and his wife ate with complete focus.
"It's too late today, and I'm exhausted after a long day. We can talk about it tomorrow."
Once Jiang's father spoke, no one else dared to say anything, and they all went about their business.
When Jiang Qi returned to the room, Jiang Lan was lying with her face inward and her back outward. It was unclear whether she was really asleep or pretending to be asleep, but her refusal to communicate was obvious.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Qi changed her clothes and went to bed. She was really tired today; she'd deal with it tomorrow.
The next day, the sky was overcast, and it looked like it was going to rain.
Mu Yi'an quickly made breakfast and then went to the vegetable garden to pick a lot of vegetables to eat at noon. She was worried that if the rain got too heavy, it would be difficult to go to the vegetable garden.
There wasn't much firewood left in the kitchen, so we called Jiang Shuyun for help. We quickly made a few trips to prepare enough for a few days, just in case, since we didn't know how long the rain would last.
When Jiang Lan came out for breakfast, she was pale and her eyes were red and swollen. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that she was the one who was having marital problems and getting a divorce, not Jiang Qi.
"Let's talk about this tonight. Don't gossip. I'm still in charge of this family. If you have any complaints, keep them to yourself and wait."
After finishing his meal, Jiang's father left these words and went to the school.
Jiang Lan's tears welled up again. She felt her father was talking about her, saying she was being troublesome. Jiang's sister-in-law also kept her mouth shut. If it were her mother-in-law who said it, she might have dared to say something. But since her father-in-law had spoken, she didn't have the courage.
As soon as Mu Yi'an finished tidying up, the heavy rain started. Without any warning, the raindrops began to pelt the ground, instantly kicking up a cloud of dust. Soon, the ground was wet and blistered.
The rain lasted for a while, only stopping in the evening, and the yard had become muddy.
When Jiang's father and the others returned from school, the hems of their long gowns were soaked.
After dinner, Jiang's father asked Jiang Lan to stay.
Mu Yi'an left with the child. Li Qiuniang already knew the gist of the matter and was no longer curious. She carried Shao Kun back to her room.
Jiang Shuheng, Jiang Shuyun, and Jiang Qi also left. Since their father didn't ask them to stay, it must be because he had something to say to Jiang Lan privately.
"Lanlan, I've already heard what your aunt said from your mother. What do you think? Do you also think the Zhou family is good and that you can't live without them?"
"Father, I don't necessarily need the Zhou family. I just want to find a better family so I don't have to struggle for a living. But will such a family still accept me in the future? Am I destined to marry just anyone in the village? If that's the case, I'd rather remain unmarried for the rest of my life!"
Jiang Lan's voice had become hoarse from crying these past few days, her eyes were constantly swollen, and she looked like a flower that had lost its moisture, all withered and lifeless.
"I understand what you mean, and I will consider it. Don't be anxious, and don't say anything to your sister; she's had a hard time too."
"Yes, my sister has had a tough time. She's divorced, and she needs our parents' care. What about me? Am I just supposed to accept my bad luck?"
Jiang Lan cried out and ran out, leaving her father alone, pressing his head, feeling a real headache!
Back in her room, Jiang Lan looked at Jiang Qi sitting on the edge of the bed. All her resentment and complaints welled up in her heart, and she shouted them out without thinking.
"Sister, why do you want a divorce? Why do you only think of yourself? Because of you, I lost my wonderful marriage. In the future, I will have to listen to gossip in the village. What did I do wrong that I have to bear all this? My parents told me not to say too much. What can't I say? My life is ruined. What's wrong with me saying a few words? If I have to marry someone in the village, I would rather never marry and live out my days in a nunnery."
After Jiang Lan finished shouting, she ignored Jiang Qi's reaction, went to bed, covered her head with the blanket, and cried incessantly!
Jiang Qi couldn't say a word. She felt terrible, but she didn't know what to do.
She got up and left the room, wanting some peace and quiet.
Mu Yi'an happened to come out to pour water and give Chu Yue a bath. Hearing Jiang Lan's shout, she felt a little more sympathy for Jiang Qi.
In this feudal era, divorce was considered an original sin for women, regardless of the reason, and they had to bear too many responsibilities. It's raining today, so the villagers' gossip hasn't spread yet; otherwise, there would be even more worries.
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